From eating durian and famous chicken rice in Bangkok to getting dropped off in the dark in Pattaya, this is the Thailand trip I’ll never forget. Long before Grab, unlimited data, and effortless navigation, travel looked a little different.

This is the one travel story I wish I had a photo of.

But at the time… taking pictures was the last thing on my mind.

It was 2015.
Before Grab.
Before Google Maps could confidently tell you where to go.
Before unlimited mobile data quietly became something we all take for granted.

Back then, getting from one place to another sometimes depended on asking strangers, pointing at maps, and hoping everyone understood just enough English. That trip to Thailand gave me plenty of beautiful memories.

It also gave me one story that still makes me laugh… now that it’s safely in the past.

Bangkok Was One Delicious Stop After Another

Whenever someone asks what I remember most about Bangkok, my answer is almost always…

The food.

Our days revolved around figuring out what to eat next.

One morning started with a plate of the famous chicken rice at Kaiton Pratunam, where the line moved surprisingly fast and every table seemed to be filled before the previous guests had even stood up. The chicken was silky, the rice fragrant, and the dipping sauce packed enough flavor to make such a simple dish unforgettable.

The tropical fruit was just as memorable.

I had a blast eating fresh durian in Thailand, because where else should you try the king of fruits?

The smell lived up to its reputation.
The taste? Much kinder than its aroma.

Whenever the Bangkok heat became too much, I’d grab another cup of fresh pomegranate juice. It was everywhere, incredibly refreshing, and so inexpensive that ordering another one never felt like a difficult decision.

Fresh coconut water became another daily ritual.
Cold.
Sweet.
Exactly what you wanted after wandering through Bangkok’s busy streets.

Of course, no trip would have felt complete without browsing one of the city’s famous markets selling everything from fried insects to giant tarantulas.

I admired them. I took photos. Whether I actually ate every exotic snack on display… I’ll let that remain a travel mystery.

Then We Headed to Pattaya

After Bangkok, we continued to Pattaya.
The beaches were beautiful. The weather was humid.
And one afternoon, we visited the breathtaking Sanctuary of Truth.

If you’ve never seen it before, imagine an enormous wooden temple covered in hand-carved sculptures from top to bottom. It was unlike anything we’d ever visited. We spent hours walking through every corner before finally leaving around 4:30 in the afternoon. That’s when our simple transportation plan quietly fell apart.

Travel Was Different Back Then

Looking back, it’s funny how much easier travel feels today.

In 2015…

📱 Grab wasn’t part of our travel routine.

📶 Mobile internet was limited.

🗺️ Google Maps wasn’t something we completely trusted.

💬 Finding someone who spoke enough English outside the busiest tourist areas wasn’t always easy.

Back then, you solved problems a little differently.
Mostly by asking people.
And hoping.

The Night We Were Dropped Off in the Dark

Leaving the Sanctuary of Truth turned out to be much harder than arriving. We spent nearly an hour trying to find transportation. Eventually, after a bit of negotiating, we climbed aboard a baht bus alongside a few other tourists.

Problem solved. Or so we thought.

Our next stop was a show elsewhere in Pattaya. The traffic grew heavier as the evening went on.

Around 6:30, the driver suddenly pulled over. He pointed toward a narrow, dimly lit alley.

“You go.”

That was essentially the instruction. Apparently our destination was somewhere beyond that small lane.

Then he drove away.
There we were.
No Grab.
No reliable navigation.
No easy way to confirm whether we were even walking in the right direction.
Just a dark street, warm humid air, and a family trying to stay optimistic.

It wasn’t terrifying.
It was simply… incredibly stressful.
Especially because we were traveling with older family members, and the last thing anyone wanted was to wander around unfamiliar streets after dark.

Sometimes Dinner Solves Everything

We kept walking. We trusted our instincts although our bellies spoke louder.

Ten minutes later, we spotted a small roadside restaurant. I’ve rarely been happier to see a restaurant. Not because we were starving…although our snacks had long disappeared…but because restaurants usually meant people. And hopefully someone who could help.

Between gestures, smiles, and a handful of English words, someone finally pointed us in the right direction.

One more surprise. Our venue was still about two kilometers away. We finished dinner, thanked everyone, and continued walking.

Somehow…we made it just in time for the show.

Looking Back

Here’s the funny part. I barely remember the show itself. What I remember is everything that happened before it.

Today, if I ever find myself unsure where to go, I instinctively open Grab. Or Google Maps. Or Google Translate.

Back then, none of those felt like guarantees. Travel relied a little more on patience. A little more on strangers. And sometimes…a little more on luck.

Would I want to relive those anxious moments? Probably not.

Would I trade that story for a perfectly smooth evening? Not a chance.

Because years later, I don’t remember getting lost. I remember finding our way. And somehow, that’s become my favorite souvenir from Thailand. If you’re curious to try Thai food, I share this delicious duck fried rice recipe, quick and easy Thai basil chicken, and more Thai recipes on the blog.